Essay: Explore Laertes’ Tragic Role in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”

In the play “Hamlet”, Shakespeare uses contrasting characters to further the themes found throughout the play and emphasis corruption of Denmark. One major theme seen in the play is loyalty, which resonates with the minor character Laertes. Laertes is the son of Polonius and brother of Ophelia, and although his part in the play is not major, it still is just important as any other character. In comparison to Hamlet, Laertes’s father is murdered, but is killed by Hamlet. Shortly after tragic strikes again and Laertes’s sister Ophelia dies. This causes him to become enraged and wanting revenge against Hamlet, acting on his temper and remorse. Laertes has a tragic force in the play and the rotten state of Denmark because of his rash decision making skills, his ability to be easily corrupted, and quick judgement.
Even in the beginning of the play Laertes shows his disapproval of Hamlet and his relationship with his sister Ophelia. Laertes is the first person in the play to speak against Hamlet in a unselfish manner, which causes foreshadowing for the rest of the play. He does this by giving Ophelia a piece of advice, your relationship with Hamlet is “forward, not permanent, sweet, not lasting” (1.2, 8). Here Laertes is predicting that Hamlet is going to use her and then leave her. This sense of direct foreshadowing is Shakespeare giving an advance hint on what is going to happen next. This quote also shows Laertes’s quick assumptions and suspensions reveals the evil influence in the country, where many are quick to judge and show hostility between citizens. Although his judgements end up being correct in the end, it shows the quick change in the atmosphere of the country, since Hamlet the beloved Prince is now being questioned. This shows that Laertes quick judgment and disapproval of Hamlet not only provides a new perspective but how aggression is easily provided with little reason. His quick judgment and aggression is what is going to drive the tragic play forward.
Laertes’ response to his father’s death is to return immediately to Denmark, ready to kill and avenge him against King Claudius, who he believes is to be the killer, with a lack of thought or planning. His grief is expressed as rage and fury for all to see, and had created a riotous mob ready to overthrow the king before even checking the details of the death. The mob crying “ ‘Choose we! Laertes shall be king!’ Caps, hands and tongues applaud it to the clouds” (4.5, 106-107). Laertes expresses his sorrow when he witnesses his sister’s madness and finds out of his father’s death all within the same scene. This attentiveness of all these desolate problems in Laertes life accents his tragic story. Laertes’ tragic flaw is not being able to hold his emotions and shows to much remorse, which ends up causing his demise. Similarly Hamlet may have regret for his actions and for his father perished through a horrendous death but unlike Laertes who actually acts on his remorse, Hamlet doesn’t. Hamlet could have take vengeance for his father but his sorrow was not enough alone as his tragic flaw had overwhelmed his remorse. With Laertes his tragic flaw works with deep regret to make him actually act upon sorrow for his perished family members unlike Hamlet. This blind plan of revenge with little drive or ambition to find a different way to find revenge for his father’s death, shows the siteful mind state many Denmark citizens now had. Believing violence and murder is the only way to solve anything, which shows how the atmosphere had changed under Claudius rule.
What we can take from Laertes’ personality, is he was loyal and honorable, while also trying to seem masculine. In a conversation with Gertrude after Ophelia’s death, Laertes tell the queen not to question his masculinity; “And therefore I forbid my tears… When these are gone, the woman will be out” (4.7, 186-189). He begins the quote by saying he will withhold his tears, he says this because Ophelia had already gone mad over the sorrow from her father’s death. He ends the quote by saying when his tears are gone, the woman will be out. This may refer to the fact that he considers weeping to be feminine, and therefore would not like to be seen crying. This quote also shows Laertes exhibiting misery and sadness, which might be because he sees grief and crying to be a feminine quality. This scene can also be used to show Laertes breaking point, where is sorrow turns into blind rage and revenge is now necessary. Laertes had to deal with the death and downfall of all of his loved ones in a concentrated amount of time. Laertes’ obsession with revenge against Hamlet assists one to understand that he does not mourn over his father or sister. This drives the play forward since the reader is able to see Laertes’ anger and fury increase when a new family member dies. This increasing outrage is what leads to his demise and the plan to kill Hamlet made by Claudius.
Laertes shows extraordinary qualities, as the vengeance he was seeking drove his ambitions, causes bravery and courage. Laertes passionately yelling “To cut his throat i’ th church!” (3.7, 127). This quote shows Claudius seeing Laertes in a sign of distress and fiery agony, and exploits this to kill Hamlet. This idea of bravery and courage is not appreciated by all since Laertes is being used as a pawn by Claudius, proving the act of heroism is used under false pretences. However, there is no other character that Laertes can turn to for an description of his father’s death. His easy corruption shows how he is living in a world of fraud and is being deceived by everyone around him. The aura of tragedy in which he lives in is completely present from when the play begins, to when its finishes, as if there was a darkness around the town that is following the citizens. Shakespeare uses Laertes to portray the citizens of Denmark in this new and gloominess atmosphere Claudius has created. The citizens being the innocent and impressionable people, who are corrupted by Claudius and his rule over them.
Laertes role in the play was essential since his character drove the conflict and anticipation forward. His quick judgement, rash behavior and his ability to be effortlessly corrupted helps to create more climax in the play. While Laertes may not show the same amount of character development in the play as Hamlet, he does possess admirable qualities that justify his revenge. Laertes, quickly acts towards avenging his father’s death, and although his rash decision leads him to his untimely death. The qualities Laertes possess all point to Shakespeare’s overall theme of corruption and the rotten state of Denmark, from him being easily manipulated and quick opinions. Showing Laertes has a major impact in the play and the corruption of Denmark because of his decision making skills, him being manipulated and quick judgements.